Court to decide whether Islam-education order went too far

Court to decide whether Islam-education order went too far

BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts is being asked to decide if a judge violated the constitutional rights of a landlord when he ordered her to take a course on Islam after she was convicted of pushing her Muslim tenant down a flight of stairs. The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments Jan. […]

BOSTON (AP) — The highest court in Massachusetts is being asked to decide if a judge violated the constitutional rights of a landlord when he ordered her to take a course on Islam after she was convicted of pushing her Muslim tenant down a flight of stairs.

The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments Jan. 8 in the case of Daisy Obi, the pastor of a Somerville church.

Obi was convicted of assault and battery for pushing her tenant in 2012. The tenant testified that Obi also made disparaging remarks about Muslims to her and her children.

A judge sentenced Obi to six months in jail, with another 18 months suspended if she complied with probation conditions, including taking a course on Islam.

Obi’s lawyer argues that the order infringes on Obi’s constitutional rights.